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Applying for the Master's instead of the Ph.D. degree

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 5:39 pm
by gradQ
Hello,

I heard that it is easier to get into schools if you apply for the Master's degree, instead of the Ph.D. degree (probably because you are not financially supported). I was wondering if this is true. Also, since you would have done some research with a professor during this time, wouldn't it be quite easy to pursue Ph.D. in the same place after finishing the Master's degree? Thanks.

Re: Applying for the Master's instead of the Ph.D. degree

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:28 pm
by will
That's not true at all, from what I've heard. Many schools don't even have a formal Masters program, and of those that do, I still think they prefer Ph.D. students.

Re: Applying for the Master's instead of the Ph.D. degree

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:22 pm
by gradQ
Hello will,

Really? I see that many schools do not let students apply for Masters only. But, I disagree with you that schools prefer Ph.D. students to Masters students, because schools do not financially support masters students. Right? hmm...

Re: Applying for the Master's instead of the Ph.D. degree

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:41 pm
by will
Tuition doesn't bring nearly as much money to the university as grants. Teaching a student for two years, only too have them leave your department with a head full of publishable ideas also doesn't do much for other metrics of your department's success. Ph.D. students publish, they speak at conferences, they help bring in research money, and they do this over the course of several years, all while earning a pittance that was already budgeted for them anyway. Terminal masters students can do this, but for the most part they take classes and write a thesis and scram.